CEU Student Allegedly Hit by Price Driver near College Dorms

By LES BOWENSun Advocate reporter

A college student crosses 300 East at the corner of 500 North. College freshman Kaylie Brundage was reportedly struck while attempting to cross 300 East. Police reports indicated Brundage was wearing dark clothing as she attempted to cross the road in a dimly-lit area with no crosswalk.

An 18-year-old college students suffered minor injuries after reportedly being hit by a vehicle driven by a Price city councilmember last week, according to information from Price city police.

The incident occurred on Sept. 13, at approximately 9:15 p.m., as College of Eastern Utah freshman Kaylie Brundage was crossing 300 East.

Price Police Chief Aleck Shilaos said Brundage was wearing dark-colored clothing at the time and was crossing in a dimly-lit area. According to the report, the accident occurred at approximately 550 North, just east of the Tucker residence hall.

As Brundage was crossing the road, Jeffrey Nielsen, a 35-year-old Price resident was traveling north on 300 East. Nielsen was elected in 2005 as a Price city councilmember. Police said upon seeing the pedestrian crossing the road, Nielsen took evasive action to avoid hitting Brundage. Despite efforts to avoid the accident, Nielsen's vehicle purportedly struck the pedestrian.

Shilaos pointed out that a number of factors contributed to the incident. First, the police chief noted that Brundage was reportedly not crossing the street at a marked crosswalk. Two crosswalks provide access across 300 East near 500 North. Another crosswalk connects the two sides of CEU campus at 600 North.

The accident occurred at a point between the crosswalks at 500 North and 600 North, where orange markings left by police indicate the position of the vehicle immediately after the accident.

A second factor, according to Shilaos, was lighting. At 500 North, four street lights operated by the city and a half-dozen owned by the college light the pair of crosswalks. Though somewhat less lighting is installed at 600 North, the crosswalk there is also lit more than the rest of the street. Lights on the east side of the road are shielded from the road by trees. Compared with the 10 lights near the crosswalks at 500 North, a single street light is installed near the point where the accident occurred.

Given the fact that the pedestrian was wearing dark clothes, she was likely difficult to see, said Shilaos. The dark area and the dark clothing may have contributed to Nielsen's failure to stop in time, he said.

Nielsen was not cited. Shilaos said the matter was turned over to the office of Nick Sampinos, city attorney. Sampinos confirmed yesterday that he has not received the case in his office and has not reviewed the information.